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Great news! The Bluebonnet Pilot Materials website is now live! These state-developed instructional materials are aligned with Texas standards and designed specifically for Texas students. While they have not yet been approved through the State Board of Education’s (SBOE) Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process, the pilot program allows school districts to implement them and provide valuable feedback. This feedback will help enhance the final materials, implementation supports, and digital access, supporting TEA’s commitment to continuous improvement.
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- Check out the asynchronous courses and upcoming synchronous sessions offered free for Elevate20 Cooperative members.
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- Unlock Funding for Blended Learning Success: TEA Reimbursement Program for Educators
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ESC-20 Federal Programs Newsletter
- UTSA’s 10th Annual ECE Institute, which will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at our DT campus. It is a free ½ day professional development opportunity for the ECE community. Participants will receive 4 CPE credits.
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- TEA has released the updated Bluebonnet Learning Instructional Materials
- TEA's English Language Arts newsletter covers several important topics. First, we highlight the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) and their role in supporting language development. As we celebrate National Reading Month, we encourage educators to promote literacy and a love for reading. In this issue’s English Language Arts Timely Topic, we discuss how Advanced Placement Innovative Courses can serve as substitutions for English III and IV, providing students with more flexible learning opportunities. Additionally, we explore how the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can help meet students’ course needs by offering expanded online learning options. Lastly, we provide key details on the Innovative Course Application Cycle, guiding educators through the process of developing and submitting course proposals.
- Upcoming Innovative Course Application Cycle due dates
- Texas Reading Academies Enrollment Projection Submit JUNE COHORT numbers
- Online feedback forms for local classroom review rubrics accepted until March 31, 2025.
- Rubrics under review:
- Feedback forms:
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- Welcome to the TEA Mathematics Newsletter! We are excited to announce the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Awardees and Finalists, celebrating outstanding educators in STEM. In upcoming opportunities, the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory application window will be opening soon, providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, we highlight the Mathematics Achievement Academies for K-5, designed to support math instruction at the elementary level. We also invite public comment on the Proposed Middle School Advanced Mathematics TEKS and provide crosswalks to help educators understand the changes. Lastly, we share information on how the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can help meet students’ math course needs. Stay informed and take advantage of these valuable opportunities!
- Public comment period for the proposed Middle School Advanced Mathematics TEKS is open now through March 31, 2025. Earliest possible date of adoption: April 2025 SBOE meeting
- Crosswalks for Proposed Middle School Advanced Mathematics TEKS:
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TEA’s Middle School Advanced Math FAQ (questions received are added on an ongoing basis)
- TEA’s General Mathematics FAQ
TEA has released the updated Bluebonnet Learning Instructional Materials
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- The TEA Science Newsletter brings exciting updates for educators. We are pleased to announce the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Awardees and Finalists, recognizing outstanding educators for their dedication to STEM education. In agency updates, the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory application window will be opening soon, providing schools with hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Additionally, we are sharing information on the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) Teacher Competition, a great opportunity for educators to showcase their innovative teaching practices. Stay tuned for more details and opportunities to engage in science education!
- The assessed curriculum documents that will be in effect beginning with the spring 2026 administration were updated on January 15, 2025. Readiness and supporting labels have been added to the documents which are to be used to build test forms only. All TEKS are required to be taught and these documents should not truncate the curriculum taught in the classrooms.
- TEA now has an Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC). The Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC) serves educators and informal science providers throughout the state. TEEAC maintains a network of providers of environmental education professional development, including universities, local and state agencies, museums, and nature centers. Educators may earn an environmental education Certificate of Recognition by completing 45 hours of professional development from TEEAC providers and submitting a Coursework Verification Form.
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- The TEA Social Studies Newsletter brings important updates for educators. This month’s Social Studies Timely Topic highlights Texas History Month, celebrating the state’s rich history and heritage. We also provide an update on the Civics Training Program, offering valuable resources for enhancing civic education. Additionally, we explore how the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can help meet students’ social studies course needs through flexible online learning options. Lastly, we share key details on the Innovative Course Application Cycle, guiding educators through the process of submitting new course proposals. Stay informed and take advantage of these opportunities!
- The TEA released the 2024 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive overview of the progress made in Texas public education while also addressing the challenges and opportunities that remain.
- Social Studies Assessed Curriculum Documents Update
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Something to Think About... |
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Success Factors in Primary-Grade Reading Tutoring
"The Impact of High-Dosage Tutoring on Reading Achievement of Beginning Readers: A Multi-Level Analysis" by Karen Kortecamp and Michelle Lynn Peters in Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, July-September 2024 (Vol. 29, #3, pp. 291-309)
In this JESPAR article, Karen Kortecamp (George Washington University) and Michelle Lynn Peters (University of Houston/Clear Lake) report on their study (conducted before the pandemic) of high-dosage one-on-one tutoring. They analyzed the implementation of the Chapter One tutoring program with 185 kindergarten and first-grade students, most of them at risk of reading failure.
Not surprisingly, tutored students made significant progress in reading proficiency, outscoring a control group on multiple measures of reading achievement. Kortecamp and Peters believe the key ingredients of the program's success were:
- · Frequent one-on-one tutoring conducted during the school day;
- · Students tutored by well-trained paraprofessionals who were college graduates;
- · A high-quality curriculum emphasizing decoding and reading stories;
- · Continuous progress monitoring and responding to individual student's needs;
- · Tight alignment with classroom instruction, with tutors in close touch with teachers;
- · Tutors address the areas where students weren't successful in class.
Contrary to other studies that advocated using certified teachers as tutors, Kortecamp and Peters found that trained, college-educated paraprofessionals were just as effective, making it possible to bring tutoring to more students at a lower cost.
Reflecting on this article, The Commissioner's Call on March 27, 2025, shared similar results for Learning Acceleration and very promising data for Local Education Agencies participating in Additional Day School Year (slides15-22). TEA shared HB 1416 Ratio Wavier List programs that can assist with student learning that have been vetted for student performance impact. This information can be accessed here. In addition, ESC-20 studied a variety of programs and implemented a 30/30/30 Accelerated Learning program through after-school and summer learning. This program can be implemented without a certified teacher. This model incorporates two of the programs shared by the Commissioner, Vetted Activities, to strategically target student learning aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. In addition, you may purchase hours and layer a virtual tutoring component in the model. ESC-20 has also taken the opportunity to create a variety of summer learning camps that can be purchased. These camps bring the TEKS to life through fun and engaging activities. These camps are built for five six-hour days. The LEA may break the camp into 10-3-hour days.
For more information on please contact the following:
- Alma Perales, Project Manager and ADSY Contact
- alma.perales@esc20.net
- 210-370-5267
- Monserrat Alvarez, Consultant and Accelerated Learning/Summer Learning
- monserrat.alvarez@esc20.net
- 210-370-5801
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Career Technology Education (CTE) |
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- At the most recent TEA CTE Specialist Meeting Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) were discussed. CTSOs enhance students' experiences in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs by offering real-world experiences, competitions, and leadership development opportunities. These organizations help students build technical, leadership, and teamwork skills while exploring career paths and engaging with their communities. The organizations below are new CTSOs that are in the planning year phase this year, and will be implemented in the 25-26 school year.
- Future Coaches of Texas Association
- ProStart/Houston ISD
- Texas Hotel and Lodging Association
- Young Billionaires Club
For more information please contact Anna Olguin at Anna.Olguin@esc20.net
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- The ESC20 College Prep Advisory Committee has completed the review of the 2025-2030 MOU draft and recommendations.This MOU will move forward to final recommendations and signatures for all partners.
- With all the new updates coming up in G/T Policy TAC and Procedures (TX State Plan Revision), ESC-20 can help with Program and Policy Reviews. These reviews can be instrumental in helping you better understand how current district practices are in line with state expectations. Please contact Rolando Ruvalcaba at Rolando.Ruvalcaba@esc20.net for more information.
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National Math Stars is a ten-year, fully funded non-profit program that identifies 2nd and 3rd grade students of extraordinary math aptitude, and provides the student and families with $100,000 of STEM enrichment programs, summer camps, family advising, math mentoring, and more if accepted. Click here to request more information on nominating students from your district or school. The application window for the 2025 cohort of National Math Stars ends June 15th, so reach out before then if you'd like to nominate students from your school or district. - keith.hartle@nationalmathstars.org
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Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Education |
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- TSDS PEIMS has undergone an upgrade. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, LEAs will begin sending TSDS date through an application programming interface (API) rather than manually loading files.
- The Texas Education Data Standards have been updated to a new version, which revised the names of data elements.
- The TSDS Web-Enabled Data Standards (TWEDS) have moved.
- TSDS reports are still available to review data for Emergent Bilingual students.
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Early Childhood Education |
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- TEA Upcoming Webinar, “ECE Assessments Office Hour: April 24, 2025” For a list of upcoming webinars and to register for the April office hour, please see the TEA ECE Resources Page
- April 9, 2025 is the last quarterly Early Childhood Leadership Network Meeting for the 24-25 School year. Please register in Connect 20.
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- Are you interested in bringing computer science and computational thinking to the elementary classroom? Free sessions, which include classroom technology, are offered in June. Launch K-5 features 2 days of face to face training and 1 day of asynchronous coursework. Sessions: June 2 and 3; OR June 4 and 5; OR June 18 and 19.
🚀 Ignite Learning with Discovery Ed Webinars! 🔥Join Discovery Ed’s free 30-minute IGNITE Learning Webinars and explore immersive learning, career connections, game-changing assessments, and more! Discovery Ed IGNITE Learning Webinars
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- The Living Science Department offers districts, private schools, and charters in the Living Science Cooperative access to living and non-living materials for cross-curricular classroom use, enhancing lesson plans in subjects like reading, math, science, and social studies.
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Living items include plants, microorganisms, bacteria, fish, amphibians, non-venomous reptiles, invertebrates (e.g., crickets, tarantulas, crayfish), and small mammals (e.g., hamsters, mice).
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Non-living items include preserved specimens, science kits, TWA trunks, seeds, and deionized water. If TWA trunks are unavailable, they can be requested from the Texas Wildlife Association.
- View a complete list of items available
- Living Science March 2025 Newsletter
- Not a member of the Living Science Co-op? Click on the button below to join.
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Assessment and Accountability |
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- Check out the ESC-20 Accountability and Assessment Newsletter for the latest updates, important deadlines, and upcoming professional development opportunities. Stay informed and ahead of key requirements!
- Check out the ESC-20 Federal Programs Newsletter for the latest updates, important deadlines, and upcoming professional development opportunities. Stay informed and make the most of these valuable resources!
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- Curriculum Forum (Face to Face)
- Regional Director’s Meeting Virtual
- Bexar County Cluster Meeting
- Hill Country Cluster Meeting
- Pearsall Cluster Meeting
- Floresville Cluster Meeting
- Charter Cluster Meeting
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Additional Information
- Now is the time to register for your FREE 2025 Preschool Card! Unlock unlimited visits, explore annual events, and your favorite SeaWorld animal experiences. Plus, discover the all-new Rescue Jr. play area coming this year. Hurry! Offer expires March 31, 2025
- It's time to register for your FREE Teacher Card—again! Now is the time to take advantage of another year of unlimited visits to SeaWorld San Antonio. The 2025 Teacher Card is now available for Texas credentialed Pre-K through 12th Grade school teachers. Get FREE unlimited admission to SeaWorld and enjoy thrills, events, and amazing animal encounters! Register for your Teacher Card by March 31 to unlock a year of incredible adventures!
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